The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1887-06-02
ROMANTIC ADVENTURE.
The Bold Rescue of a Captains
Lady-Love.

A4oy -AONo.
IL was at Constantinople We found our
selves in ileet Of sixty vessels, of all ma
ions Ours was the only vessel flying tht
American flag.
the time hangs heavily when ships are
waiting for freights or winds TO start then
into active service. Pera had become dread
iuily dull to us, and we had done up Con
stantinople and the surrounding country tC
eur hearts content. With the exception Of
an occasional dinner at the Consulate, there
was no recreation to be had-no theaters OF
cneras. A dozen OF us tried 10 swim the
bosporus from the point from which Byron
was said TO have started. He must have
accomplished his feat in the summer, fol-
We signally failed in the attempt, owing Il
the temperature OF the water, and were
glad enough 10 be taken on board our boats
before we got half way.
Our only resort was a hotel which was
kept by the wife of the captain of the port,
Who was in exile for murder: She was
true type OF Grecian beauty, native OF
Athens, just such person as the bard who
swan so well would immorlaiize in verse.
Between the hotel aud the landing where
we took our boats for the ship was a dis
lance of about three-quarters Of mile.
Most Of the streets were guarded by gates,
which were closed at night, when no one
was allowed to pass-unless sailors, who
with few piasters could bribe the guard
to open for them at any time. We never
ventured to be out late unless we were O
dozen or so strong: then we would sally
forth, lantern in one hand and pistol in the
other, ready 10 defend ourselves against
robbers, who did not hesitate to take life.
The Turkish authorities took no notice of
troubles arising among foreigners. The
coDsuls were supposed to care for the in
forests Of their own people. saw Greek
stab and rob an Austrian captain within
twenty feet Of Turkish guard, who did not
interfere, and who showed less interest
than he would have shown at a fight be-
tween two packs of dogs
The street which was our regular route
TO the ship had gate and guard-house at
either end. Blank walls about twenty feet
high extended some five hundred feet along
both sides Of the street. Behind these walls
were the palaces Of two OF the grand
Pashas. We could only see the windows Of
the upper stories, the magnifcence within
was left to our imagination. AS we We're
walking past one afternoon one OF the
W ltA4ONo was ouhuCuAl iuIONu open,
there appeared at it the most beautiful
woman had ever seen. We were fairly
electrified by her beauty. She had defied a
well-known edictin showing us her face as
we knew, Instantly as she appeared we
saw her throw something over the wall,
and then she closed the window. 1t was a
note which she had thrown. We all rushed
to pick it up The prize was won by a
Swedish Captain, who Immediately pocket.
ed it.
When we arrived at the landing the
Swedish Captain invited me on board his
ship. We had been so intimate during our
stay that the rest Of our party could not
take offense at this preference; but how
anxious they were to know the contents of
that motel insisted that no gentleman
could ask, nor would any divulge its con-
tents, which justly belonged to its captor.
Once on board, the note was opened, when
an agitation seized the captain which made
him appear TO me like lunatic.
s'Captain," he said, handing me the note,
s.you are married, and circumstances have
proved how mnch you love your wife. / am
unmarried, and have fallen desperately in
love. Help me by your advice. What shall
doi My ship is ready to sail, and the
wind Is fair. l do not own the vessel or
cargo and therefore have no right to detain
her. Read, and tell me what to do'
AS my own marriage had been very ro-
mantle, this affair was doubly exciting to
me. The note was written in a good En-
glish hand, as follows:
~ know you are Christians and will save me
from this life OF degradation. Entombed in this
harem, from which there is no other way Of es-
cape, appeal to you in mercy to save me- God,
know, will open yonr hearts, give wisdom, and
guide you tomorrow night to silken thread
thrown from this window, near where Won found
my note. To the thread attach your answer
Death awaits discovery.
The night was spent in deyising means Of
rescue The captain swore upon the Bible
that he would marry her if rescued, and If
she would consent. Jewels are most priced
when most difficult to obtain. was in full
sympathy with his feelings, and when the
day broke our plan of action had been de-
termined. saw that he was untitled to 90
10 sea, his head being entirely turned, and
to ease his conscience upon the point of his
duty pointed out that the interest of all par
ties would be served bestif he should defer
his departure until the dark moon, when
the plan devised could be put into opera
ton. This would necessitate delay of
five days.
Among our friends we were to pretend
that no Importance attached to the missive
which the lady-had thrown out. Asareason
for his delay in not sailing the Swedish
Captain was to say that he had discovered
q leak in the ships top side after he had
loaded her, which made it necessary to ca
reen her for repairs. 1t required much
tact to avoid the captains with whom we
had been in daily company, and TO make ex-
cuses TO stay ashore late every night. We
stayed ashore to become well acquainted
with the guards, whom we thought we could
induce, by appearing to be half drunk and
by liberal use Of money TO open the gates
for us at any time. The first night we half
staggered up TO the gate, handed the guards
one hundred piasters, and then showed
them our empty pockets, whereupon they
allowed us 70 pass through the gate, point
ing TO their hearts to assure us that no one
should pass that way TO modest u.s. Each OF
us carried the usual paper lantern to illumi-
nate the way, and we were well armed with
pistols and cutlasses. During the day we
had paced the distance from the gate TO the
spot where we might expect TO find the
thread, and we now had but to pace on the
sane number Of steps in the darkness.